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Drums- Artist Development Diploma in Music Performance - Birmingham at BIMM

Course description

This two-year vocational course is equivalent to three A-levels, and is all about developing your performance skills and musical style, improving your technique, getting yourself noticed by connecting with the music industry, and steadily building
your confidence towards that of a professional musician.

You’ll gain a fundamental understanding of the way the music industry works, plus will study music theory, music history, and musicianship skills, such as sight reading and ear training. All in all, it’s a fantastic grounding to understand modern music and
the industry that surrounds it.

You’ll have the opportunity to learn in a creative environment where you’ll develop strong connections with fellow aspiring musicians, and will be guided by your tutors and prominent music industry professionals to help steer you towards your future career
or study goals.

Successful completion of the course will gain you a nationally recognised RSL qualification, and the diploma is a great gateway to either taking your first steps in a music industry career, or continuing on with study in the form of a music degree at BIMM.

UK and EU students aged 18 and under are eligible for free funding (subject to academic requirements), and educational loans are available for UK students over the age of 24, so joining us at BIMM doesn’t have to break the bank.

So, what are you waiting for? To make your way as a performer, connect with us, and we’ll connect you to a life in music.

Course content

Good technique is essential if you wish to push your discipline to the next level. In these lessons you’ll develop that technical skill and introduce a logical approach to improving your voice or instrument.

This is where you’ll study different genres that span some of the world’s most influential contemporary musicians. This will enhance your musical knowledge and test your ability by replicating the styles used throughout music history.

Ear training is all about sharpening the ear for in-depth song analysis. In it you’ll be taught various listening and theory skills. These skills will not only teach you new ways of appreciating and understanding music, it will also help you on your way
to becoming a better, more employable, musician.

It’s important to remember that there’s much more to being successful in music than your discipline alone. In this lesson you’ll learn all about the music industry and start to prepare yourself for a future within it.

In Pre-Production you’ll look at chosen songs in great detail, dissecting and rehearsing the parts prior to your performance in the weekly LPW lesson. The professionalism and attention to detail that’s taught here should set the standard for all performances
to follow.

This is where you get to put your hard work in Pre-Production to the test. You’ll meet up with other musicians from the diploma course and perform together in front of an audience. Doing this on a regular basis will help you become a confident, well prepared,
professional performer.

In Performance Preparation you’ll look at all of the aspects that go towards a great performance. This goes beyond LPW and you’ll be looking at all the factors that make up successful performances, such as band forming, rehearsal techniques, promotion, marketing,
tour management, stage management, budgeting and more.

Music in Context is where you’ll learn about the interaction between music and society. In it you’ll track back through history and study some of the most influential artists and the impacts they’ve had on music, technology, politics and civil rights.

You’ll build on the skills you gained in Performance Preparation last year and apply these to a studio recording session. Band, song choice, instruments and recording techniques will all come into play as you learn what it’s like to record in a studio environment.

This lesson offers students the chance to undertake an investigation into an area of interest within the music industry. Whilst doing so, you’ll develop your academic study skills that will help you prepare for higher level study or research.

In this year’s classes you’ll continue to explore the music industry and the different roles and functions within it. You’ll also begin working on your own business plan that will help you to forge a path into the music industry.